SURGICAL VS. NON-SURGICAL

At some point, age betrays us all – especially in our face. Years of exposure to the sun, stress, smoking and even facial expressions can cause wrinkles to appear. It’s impossible to completely stop the emergence of wrinkles as we age, but there are a range of options available to reduce wrinkles or hinder their progression. So what to do?

There are now so many cosmetic procedures available that it can be confusing as to what sort of treatment is best for your particular needs – do you need a facelift, are you better off with laser resurfacing or a simple injection?

Surgical Treatments

Most cosmetic surgery nowadays is minimally invasive and produces much better results than older, outdated procedures. It also means less pain, minimal scarring and a speedier recovery at a lower price. Here are a few of the options available:

Facelift

Nothing can stop the ageing process, no matter what outrageous claims beauty creams make. A facelift, however, can take years off your appearance. A facelift requires general anaesthetic and the surgery can last for several hours. It is best for those with excess fatty tissue around the face, sagging, deep lines or jowls.

Eye Lift

Eyelid surgery helps to remove bagginess and sagging around the eyes, and is able to refresh your appearance and make you appear more youthful, though it will not eliminate crow’s feet or other facial wrinkles. An eye lift can significantly change the appearance of the eyes, making them appear larger, refreshed and youthful. Surgery normally takes around two hours.

Forehead or Brow Lift

A forehead lift can minimise drooping brows, frown lines, furrows and other lines around the forehead area. It’s often performed in conjunction with a facelift/eye lift to provide a balanced look.

Non-Surgical Treatments

These treatments are often quick and usually take effect within several days of the procedure. They do not require a prolonged healing time like surgical procedures, but are not normally as effective or don’t last as long. Non-surgical cosmetic procedures often need to be repeated every 4 to 6 months:

Injections for reducing fine lines/wrinkles

Such injections reduce activity in the muscles that cause frown lines between the brows, crows feet, and other wrinkles. The process is simple, with minimal discomfort. Injections usually take around ten minutes and show effect within days. They can last up to four months.

Dermal Cosmetic Fillers

Dermal cosmetic fillers are safe and natural, and restore volume and fullness to the skin. They can correct moderate wrinkles like crow’s feet, frown lines, laugh lines and peri-oral lines around the mouth. They usually last between six and 12 months.

Fractional CO2 Laser

A single treatment of laser resurfacing using a fractional CO2 laser can show noticeable improvement in fine lines, pigmentation and skin texture. It is an intense process, but recovery is quick and the effects can last for months, leaving you with healthy and radiant skin.

Remember that it’s important to have realistic expectations no matter what procedure you choose – the healthier you are and the better you take care of your skin, the better the results will be.

If you are interested in one of these procedures, inquire here and a member of the Medaway Health team will advise what’s best for you.